A drunk yob viciously attacked a student in a city centre street while he filmed or photographed his helpless victim.
Joshua McLaughlan, 26, repeatedly punched his victim, Joshua Ormrod, in the head and body before coming back to attack him for a second and third time.
The IT network engineer left his victim lying unconscious in the middle of Fleet Street in Liverpool City Centre at around 4.30am on June 17, but was detained by nearby door staff while other security staff gave first aid.
READ MORE: Armed police swarm terrace street as officers enter alleyway
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday, January 19, that Mr Ormrod was taken to hospital where he underwent a CT scan.
Although he had facial bruises and cuts he escaped more serious injury and his cuts were treated with steri-strips.
Judge Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said: "Not only was it a persistent, unlawful, violent, drunken assault, you were clearly trying to store images to almost glorify what you were about.
“It is only by good fortune that he did not suffer any more serious injury. It could have been a lot worse."
CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court.
Recorder McLoughlin said: "I know you said it was the red mist but you returned twice to inflict further violence on someone who was prone on the floor, drunk and dazed."
Jailing him for 16 months he said: "I would be failing in my public duty if you did not receive an immediate custodial sentence."
McLaughlan, of Hawkshead Drive, Bolton, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
The judge said CCTV footage showed Mr Ormrod stumbling around, accompanied by a woman, and McLaughlan then appeared and walked past the couple.
Recorder McLoughlin said: “I accept something was said that causes you to turn round and approach the two individuals and there appears to have been a confrontation between yourself and the victim.
“It may be in his drunken state he moved towards you as if to punch you or make contact with you but doesn’t and thereafter there is a prolonged and persistent assault by you on him.
“There were numerous punches to the face and body landed by you and then you proceeded to knee and kick him so much that he goes to the ground.
“You then took a few steps back away from the incident only to return a second time and continue to kick him and punch him. At this stage he was prostrate on the floor and his friend [tried] to keep you away from him.
“You also, even though you are in a drink yourself, withdrew your mobile telephone from your pocket and then proceeded to take photographs or film what has gone on so far.”
Recorder McLoughlin continued: “It doesn’t end there because you returned for a third time and I saw very clearly a full body blow kick to Mr Ormrod’s face rendering him unconscious or at least static on the ground in a prone position.
“You slapped him before making good your escape."
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, told the court that, when interviewed by police, McLaughlan said something provocative was said by Mr Ormrod or his companion and words were exchanged.
He claimed the victim threw a punch at him and “the red mist” took over and he punched and kicked him. He accepted it went beyond self-defence and apologised.
In an impact statement the victim said he had been confused about what had happened when he woke up in hospital. He was still in pain some weeks later and suffered from anxiety and disturbed sleep.
Michael Hegarty, defending, said McLaughlan, who has one previous conviction for common assault in 2017, had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
He said: “He is thoroughly horrified by his actions and he cannot believe what he was seeing when he saw the CCTV.
“He accepts his reaction was wholly disproportionate and it is a great mercy that the complainant was not seriously injured.”
Mr Hegarty said the defendant had not had a great start in life but had worked his way up and earns £40,000 a year as a network engineer for an IT company and he and his partner were hoping to buy a home together.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
